Kang Dong-won’s ID picture is attracting netizens

by gellie
2011-07-20

Kang Dong-won‘s ID picture is attracting netizens.

A picture of Kang Dong-won on an online community site looks feeble as the background lacks lighting and uncorrected, with a whitish glint but he still looks like the name “God” belongs to him.

His features are still obvious even without the lights. His messy and short hairstyle actually makes him look better although he didn’t have make up.

Those who have seen this picture are liberal saying, “His significance is different”.

Meanwhile, Kang Dong-won is an active public service soldier.

Source: nate via hancinema
k-popexpress.com

Movieweek Selects Top 15 Box Office Draws Among Korea Actors

The Korean acting industry is much like Hollywood in that its biggest movie stars rarely return to the small screen once they have transitioned successfully to a movie career. Viewers watching Korean dramas may think certain actors or actresses must be household names in Korea, it’s actually the movie stars that get all the respect and acclaim over there. October’s issue of Movieweek magazine polled movie production companies and investors as well as movie distributors to ask which stars had the most box office clout.
Below are the fifteen movie stars that are the most bankable according to the people who cut the checks, so to speak. Is anyone surprised to see Jeon Do Yeon and Won Bin on the list? What upsets me is the 2-1 actor to actress ratio, but that’s how the gender preferences still roll these days. The list is not ranked, but I think it’s safe to say Song Kang Ho is the undisputed top dog, and well deserved. The man is an extraordinary actor.

The group above consists of:
Song Kang Ho: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Memories of Murder, The Host, The Good, The Bad, The Weird, Thirst, Secret Reunion, Blue Salt.
Kim Yoon Seok: The Happy Life, The Chaser, Wandeuki
Kang Dong Won: Duelist, Jeon Woo Chi, Secret Reunion,
Won Bin: Taekgukgi, Mother, The Man From Nowhere
Jo In Sung: The Classic, Dirty Carnival, A Frozen Flower

The group above consists of:
Park Hae Il: Jealousy, Memories of Murder, Arrow The Ultimate Weapon,
Sol Kyung Gu (his wife is actress Song Yoon Ah): Public Enemy, Haeundae
So Ji Sub: Rough Cut, Sophie’s Revenge, Always
Ha Jung Woo: Take Off, The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, Love Fiction
Lee Byung Heon: Joint Security Area, A Bittersweet Life, The Good, The Bad, The Weird, I Come With the Rain
Jeon Do Yeon: Secret Sunshine, The Untold Scandal, The Housemaid
Ha Ji Won: 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant, Duelist, Haeundae, Sector 7
Son Ye Jin: The Classic, A Moment to Remember, My Wife Got Married, White Night
Gong Hyo Jin: Crush & Blush, Sisters on the Road, Volcano High, Love Fiction
Kim Ha Neul: My Tutor Friend, 7th Level Civil Servant, Blind, You’re My Pet
So there you have it. This list is completely subjective and really just a bunch of movie producers and their colleagues getting together to shoot the breeze on which actors are the most bankable in the industry. It does afford a better understanding of what the movie industry looks for in it’s leads than the small screen. More heavy duty acting chops, less looks.
[Credit: Movieweek magazine]

"Woochi" set to work its magic - Part 1

Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye | seven@10asia.co.kr
기사입력 2009.11.18 21:45 최종수정 2009.11.18 21:45


Woochi is not as well-known a hero as Hong Kil-dong. While Hong Kil-dong was recorded in Korea's first tale, "Woochi" was an absurd fantasy novel written by an anonymous writer. So director Choi Dong-hoon took the story to create an action fantasy movie about the rascal wizard who frees himself from 500 years ago to fight against goblins in contemporary Seoul. The full cast and Choi showed up at a press conference at a CJ CGV theater on Monday to talk about Korea's first action-hero flick.

The preview shown at the event was enough to fuel the already much-anticipated film which was sold to 12 countries at the recent American Film Market. Below are exceprts from the press conference of the film set for release on December 23.


Q: It seems you went through a complex process for the filming -- from the wire action to car pursuit scenes.

Choi Dong-hoon (Choi): All movies are difficult to make but "Woochi" in particular was physically difficult. I think it's because I became greedy about wanting to shoot in a way that had nobody had attempted at before. But I realized I was in hell by the tenth day of filming. (laugh) In the middle of it, I knew I was filming somehow but I had no idea how it would look in the end. I was shooting in a better mood toward the end.


Q: Gang Dong-won, you're so good at wire action that even martial arts directors say you're the best actor at it in Korea. What's the secret to your skills?

Gang: There is no secret. But it's something that is done by manpower, not by machines so the most important thing is working in harmony with the martial arts team. I think having talked with them a lot was the main reason I did well. And in my case, all I needed to do was put on a great pose and the staff would work the cords. (laugh) I was really scared though. Being at a height where you think you'll probably break an arm or two isn't too bad, but it's really scary when you're at a height that you think you could fall and die.


Q: Kim Yoon-suk, you on the other hand, seemed quite scared of doing wire action.

Kim Yoon-suk (Kim): Kang became one with the wire but I tried to take control of it with my whole body, bending it and trying to fight against it. (laugh) The director was more lenient toward me because I have a family to support. I was at a lower height than Kang and I did most of my Taoist magic through looks in my eyes or expressions. And Kang would fly off almost 50 meters just from a look I would give him. (laugh)

Choi: I too couldn't ignore the fact that he was married since I am too. (laugh)

Q: It happened again in "Woochi" but it seems you're always up against tall actors. How does this feel? (laugh)

Kim: From "The Chaser" to "Running Turtle" to "Woochi", and then my next film "Hwanghae", the actors including Ha Jung-woo, Jung Kyung-ho and Kang Dong-won all stand in the 180-centimeter range. I was never considered small before since I'm 178 myself but I've somehow ended up working with modelesque actors. It's okay though, I can just pull them back behind me. (laugh) I'm young but it's refreshing sucking on their bloods to make myself younger. I also mess up the pretty ones by infecting them with me. The first thing I do is drink with them as long as I can under the excuse that I will give them advice on their lives. Then I mess up their clothes telling them that will be able to act well even if they don't dress well. (laugh) Such processes invigorate me and it's good because I end up developing a friendship with them that surpasses generations.


Q: Lim, this is your first time in an action film but you did wire action too. You also attempted at portraying a femme fatal image. They're a lot of changes. Is there anything you did in particular to change you role?

Lim Soo-jung (Lim): Everyone did wire action in this movie. Thankfully, I didn't have more wire actions scenes than the other actors but it was difficult because I don't have experience. I was able to finish the scenes successfully with the help of the other actors and martial arts team. The wire action I did is nothing compared to what the others did though. (laugh) And the role I took on in "Woochi" is very different from my previous roles but I had a lot of fun developing on a new character. My character didn't have a fixed image but had mysterious sides to her -- to an extent that I myself thought she is a bit weird. But of course, the director seemed to enjoy it the more I became weird. (laugh) I focused more on matching my acting to suit the character rather than on my transformation.


Q: Lim Soo-jung's character's name Seo In-kyung seems to have appeared a lot in director Choi's films including "The War of Flower" or "The Big Swindle".

Choi: That's why my wife keeps asking who she is. (laugh) But she's not someone I've met before. I just like the way it feels pronouncing her name. It's also a hassle to come up with new names.


Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

"Woochi" set to work its magic - Part 2

Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye | seven@10asia.co.kr
기사입력 2009.11.18 21:34 최종수정 2009.11.18 21:46


Q: Choi Dong-hoon (Choi), you work with the Kim, Baek and Yoo trio so much, in almost every movie you make, that they're often identified as the 'Choi association'. What's so good about working with them?

Choi: That it's guaranteed you get to go out and drink afterwards? (laugh) Lines that had originally seemed bland in scenarios will come to life when Baek says them. He knows how to turn them into these amazingly great lines so I think I've become attracted to his way of speech. I also think the movies where I have him disappear do well. (laugh) He's a mentor in this movie, like he was in "The War of Flower", and it seems he is good at playing characters who provide important links to the story. He's also almost my dad's age but he is so unreserved that we can see each other as director versus actor. He's like my life mentor, friend and dad all at the same time.

Baek Yoon-shik (Baek): On unofficial occasions, mostly when we're out to drink, I complain to the director a lot. It's because I keep dying in his films. (laugh)


Q: Yoo Hae-jin, it seems that you would complain a lot too because you always play roles which are far from cool and this time in particular, you play a 'human dog' -- a character that has been unheard of.

Yoo Hae-jin (Yoo): I thought it would be worth trying and that it would be fun. And I really did have fun playing a character where a human being and dog coexists within the body. I take on the appearance of a human being but I'm actually a dog that has been transformed by Woochi so I had to have the traits of a dog. I started payed more attention to dogs than usual. (laugh) My character also constantly stays besides Woochi, as if they are traveling companions, so although it was my first time working with Gang Dong-won, I was able to find a lot of sincere aspects to him that I hadn't noticed before.


Q: You're recognized as a director who makes the best of the actresses, like you did with Yum Jung-ah and Kim Hye-soo in your previous works by discovering new sides to them. How was it working with Lim Soo-jung?

Choi: I'm very flattered but it's only because they worked hard. I thought I could only be ranked within the top directors by working with Lim. (laugh) My fellow directors all want to work with her too. She's such a delicate actress. And there were many times while editing that I found details she had expressed on set but had missed. There's a unique sense about Lim but I haven't been able to find out what it is yet so I want to put myself up to the challenge again by working with her.

Lim: First of all, I had a lot of fun on set and all the characters in the movie are funny and are attractive in their own way to an extent it may seem weird. I think that's the characteristic of Choi's movies -- being a collection of such characters. I myself had played nice, innocent characters but I felt better this time because my character swears slightly and expresses her inner desires and reveals her soft heart very honestly. I think "Woochi" will be the film that changes the characters I play or movies I choose to take on in the future.

: There are a lot of characters in this movie. How was it working with everyone?

Lim: They are definitely forces to be reckoned with. (laugh) To start with Kang, the best to talk about to make news, I thought he was very pretty but that he would be cold-hearted. I thought he would be very quiet and have few friends but he opened up a lot while working on this film. He's a very cheerful and smart actor. I actually learned a lot watching him. I personally like actor Yoo Hae-jin the best. He's a funny and honest speaker but his acting is exquisite. I thought he was born with the talent to act but I realized that he really puts in an enormous amount of effort. I was moved by how much he prepares for a single scene and how he continuously communicated with the director.


Q: Gang, you've been recognized with the superlative 'pretty boy' for a while now. Don't you feel competition against other pretty boys such as Hyun Bin and Kim Bum also set to release films near the years end?

Gang: I don't feel much pressure by the word itself because good-looking, pretty boy, whatever it is, they're all compliments. If people think I won't be able to focus on my acting because of such words, then breaking that stereotype is also part of the fun. I'm also confident about our movie doing well so I'm not pressured about other films which are awaiting release. (laugh) And I feel that every actor is my competitor but if I had to pick appearance-wise, there's also [Won] Bin, [Jo] In-sung... Not that I really consider them competition. Oh no, I can't take that back since I already said it. I bet it's already in the news. (laugh) I'm not confident about my looks but I will utilize my strengths as best I can.

Q: What sort of film is "Woochi"?

Choi: I hope it'll be considered a cheerful movie which will stir up people's imagination and memories that they have not been able to see with their eyes.


Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

10Asia [INTERVIEW] Kang Dong-won - Part 1

Reporter : Wee Geun-woo | eight@10asia.co.kr
기사입력 2009.12.28 19:25 최종수정 2009.12.28 19:25


Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

It took some time to get used to talking with Gang Dong-won. And it is not because of his slow way of speech. Gang is one who will listen to a question, remain silent for a long time and give his answer just when you are about to ask another question because you thought he would not answer your previous question. He is an actor who will think over both the question and answer in his head thorougly, check how geniune his answer is and then speak. That is why we were able to experience 'sincerity' -- a value we thought existed only in letters -- from Gang who is the star of recent hit Korean film "WOOCHI".


10: You had quit smoking when starting to film "M" -- have you taken it up again?

Gang Dong-won (Gang): I failed (to quit). It's hard not to smoke while working on a film because you get stressed. And you also go out to drink a lot after shoots so I'd smoke once in a while when I do. I'm going to try quitting again next year.


10: You mentioned stress. Director Choi Dong-hoon used the word 'hell' to express what it was like on set of "WOOCHI".

Gang: I think the rough time the actors and directors have on set is different though. I simply got bruised here and there because the action scenes in "WOOCHI" is all about speed. There are a lot of scenes where I dash this way and that, fall or ram into places, get beaten up and run away.


10: Working with director Choi must have been very different from working with director Lee Myung-sae of your previous films the "Duelist" or "M".

Gang: They have very different styles. They're both great at details but differ in their methods. Director Choi creates complex stories while director Lee goes with simple stories but uses a lot of detail in telling them.


10: This is also a commercial film in the traditional sense.

Gang: But I thought "Duelist" was also a very commercial movie. In the midst of filming some people had told me it's becoming too much of an art film but I and director Lee had claimed that it was a commercial film. Both of us had misjudged entirely. (laugh) I can, however, confidently say that "WOOCHI" is a commercial film.


10: Then do you want to prove that you have the star quality necessary in selling many tickets this time?

Gang: I hope I do. I want one of my films to be a hit before my 20s pass. We'll hit the break-even point if we draw in 4.5 million viewers so I hope we breach that first and then I hope I get to see it become a big hit by attracting twice as many moviegoers. Acting-wise, I want people to see that I can pull off such roles too.



Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]


10: Such roles as in?

Gang: Playing a fun mischievous character? I do want to prove that I can pull off whatever character I take on. I wanted to show I can be a pure unmarried man living in the countryside through "Don't Believe Her", a high school student in "Romance of Their Own" and an assassin from the Joseon Dynasty in "Duelist".


10: And did you achieve what you had aimed for with all your films?

Gang: Honestly, I don't look back on a movie once I'm done filming because I'll consider my job done. I start preparing for my next role hoping to do well at it rather than check whether I achieved a goal I had set for my previous movie. It's not that I'm irresponsible and don't care for how people evaluate me. I know, better than anyone else, in which parts I lack so I prepare myself for my upcoming role rather than regretting on my past. I think it's better. I consider my upcoming film done too although we haven't even started promoting it yet.


10: Then maybe that's why you have such a hard time while in promotion.

Gang: Yes, that might be why. I'm moving forward, thinking of what I should do next while also having to pull out what I think I'm already done doing.


10: There was a video of you once where you asked for the press release of your film before an interview.

Gang: It's so that I can explain the movie better since I'm usually bad at explaining things. I have to recognize in advance the difference between what I think of a movie versus what the promoters want to show the public about the movie. I don't want to get scolded in case I mess up. (laugh) The PR team will tell me I shouldn't have said certain things.


10: It seems you're very cautious. Do you not like saying things you aren't prepared for?

Gang: I don't like it because I might make mistakes. I'm okay with interviews like this one but I don't like making mistakes at bigger events like film festivals where the things I say could be misrepresented. Everyone makes mistakes but people say so much about even the smallest details. I don't like being talked about. Of course, I like it when people say I did well or I'm good looking but I really don't like hearing people say that I'm weird. Maybe it's because I'm the youngest of my family? (laugh) Because I'm so used to just being loved all the time?


10: Well you can't be praised all the time for a role.

Gang: Yes that's true. I guess I'm better at self-reproach in that sense. My brain knows what I need to do but I sometimes can't do it no matter how hard I try. Then I'll just pass, telling myself that it's something I can't do for now.


10: What didn't work out with "WOOCHI"?

Gang: A scene where I tried to laugh heartily? I tried it for a scene where I think it would suit perfectly but it didn't work too well. There are several such minor scenes I hope had worked out better.


10: You seem to be greedy to do well with even the slightest details.

Gang: I'm a very detail-oriented person. A perfectionist.


10: You don't like to make mistakes plus are a perfectionist. What's more important between doing well and not making a mistake?

Gang: That's an important question. I shouldn't make a mistake... yet I guess doing well is more important. I think it's okay to make a mistake to the extent I can make a comeback later. But I should do well enough that it'll make up for my mistakes.


Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr, Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

[INTERVIEW] Gang Dong-won - Part 2

Reporter : Wee Geun-woo | eight@10asia.co.kr
기사입력 2009.12.28 19:25 최종수정 2009.12.28 19:25


Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]


10: You're like an actress in the sense that you receive absolute support from fans of the opposite gender and are someone who we are unlikely to see in our daily lives. You used to talk about playing games and reading comic books but you've become even more of an unrealistic being for us after saying that you like to make furniture and like to go in the woods.

Gang: But I think I really did. I spent about a year just making furniture.


10: What is it about making furniture that attracted you so much?

Gang: There's a huge sense of achievement in making a piece of furniture in the design that I want. It feels great oiling my piece and seeing the texture of the wood come to life at the end of the whole process. And you can save quite a bit of money to making your own furniture. It costs about 400,000 to 500,000 won for the wood that goes into making a table but this is nothing compared to trying to buy a piece of furniture.


10: If you had shot some TV commercials as actor Gang Dong-won during that time.

Gang: Yes, people around me told me to do something else instead and just buy furniture with the money I make doing that. But I'm someone who likes to go after what he wants.


10: But no matter how hard you look to do something you enjoy, isn't there a point it becomes work?

Gang: Yes, that is true. I started doing photoshoots because it was fun but it started becoming a concern and a hassle after having to prepare a dozen different articles of clothing everytime. You do have to end what you have started though. And there are times I feel proud after putting up with all of it. No matter what, I try my best to do things I can have fun with and if it isn't, I try to make the best out of the situation.



Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]


10: Then how do you try and enjoy your work as an actor?

Gang: I love competition. I only play against one other player when playing the game "Winning 11" at home too. This may be a sensitive issue but when I'm working on a film, I set other actors or the director as my competition and enjoy that competition alone.


10: Then what stimulated your competitive spirit with "WOOCHI"?

Gang: First of all, the great cast. My personality is a bit twisted so when I'm filming with great actors, I think of how I can catch up with them rather than trying to learn from them.


10: And did you win?

Gang: It doesn't matter whether I actually did lose or win. I just hope I can become better than them some day. Such thoughts heat up the competition and makes everything more fun.


10: Did you not get hurt shooting the action scenes? The martial arts director praised you during an interview for pulling off even the most dangerous action scenes without a double.

Gang: I learned modern dance for about five months to shoot "Duelist" which helped me to act without tensing up my body so I didn't get hurt too much. I actually didn't have a personal trainer for "WOOCHI" but focused on basic physical training and played soccer at action school. (laugh) So my experiences from "Duelist" helped a lot. My body had gotten used to creating curves. I think wire action is closer to dance than martial arts.


Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr, Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

10 Asia Interview with Kang Dong-won Part 3

Reporter : Wee Geun-woo | eight@10asia.co.kr
기사입력 2009.12.28 19:24 최종수정 2009.12.28 19:24


Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]


10: Do you have plans to make appearances on variety shows to promote "WOOCHI"?

Gang: Actors have to talk about themselves a lot when they appear on such shows but I don't like talking about myself too much. I appeared on KBS' "Happy Together" a few years ago and I think that suited me the best because all I had to do was sing.


10: Then are there any variety shows you enjoy watching these days?

Gang: I've been watching "Two Nights and One Day" from KBS' "Happy Sunday" and MBC' "Infinite Challenge".


10: Would you not consider making a guest appearance on "Two Night and One Day"? I have a feeling it would suit you.

Gang: The producers of the show actually called me before shooting in Changwon because it's my hometown but I didn't go.


10: Do you have any thoughts to return to dramas?

Gang: None. My fans have been asking me to but I've told them I won't. And it's not because I don't trust the producers but I don't believe in the system of how dramas work. I don't like the fast tempo on set. I work slowly -- I'm the type that needs a lot of time with my acting but it's hard to do that while shooting dramas. I've never thought of appearing in dramas since "Magic".


[[[[[[some parts are missing here???]]]]]

Gang: I watch it but only the sports channels. Always channels number 501, 503 and 506. (laugh) I watch mostly soccer and baseball.


10: The Premier League for soccer?

Gang: Yes. But I'm having a rough time trying to watch Park Joo-young's matches since he moved to the French league because of the time difference. The matches for the Premier League will air at 10 P.M. in Korea sometimes but it's very difficult with the French league because they usually air at around 3 or 4 A.M.


10: As much as you like soccer, you must have some things to say about the World Cup drawings. Is there a team you hope wins other than Korea?

Gang: I usually root for the teams that have players I like. I hope England does well since they have players like Steve Gerrard.


10: Do you have any fashion tips for guys being the fashionista you are?

Gang: You just have to invest a lot of time and money in clothes. You have to study it a lot, do a lot of shopping and read fashion magazines. But there's a small number of magazines for men so if you want to learn more, you should read foreign publications or even look at books with collections if you're even more serious.


10: You're mindset is changing as you age but why doesn't it show on your face?

Gang: I could tell (I changed) when I monitored myself on screen. I used to look young for my age in the past, like a kid. But I think that changed this time and the director said so too.


10: It's a bit unique to see someone as good looking as you speaking with a certain dialect. Would you consider changing it?

Gang: I would like to. I talked to Song Kang-ho about it since he talks in a Gyeongsang Province dialect but he said I should speak however way I want. I'm still thinking of changing it though because although he is correct in some ways, I feel deep down inside that it's not right for me to speak with a dialect.



Actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]


Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr, Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Kang Dong Won’s movie Jeon Woo Chi The Taoist Wizard goes small scree

Following the success of the big screen fantasy action blockbuster “Jeon Woo Chi : The Taoist Wizard” which attracted 6 million cinemagoers in the early 2010, Chorokbaem Media is planning to bring the story to the small screen as a drama series.

Chorokbaem Media is a notable production company who behind several success dramas such as Jumong, Chuno and Iljimae.

Jeon Woo Chi : The Taoist Wizard movie is starred by cutie Kang Dong Won, Im So Jung (MISA, I am A Cyborg) and award winning actor Kim Yoon Seok (The Chaser).

The movie tells story of a magician in the Josoen Era named Jeon Woo Chi who framed as his master’s murderer.
Then he and his dog are sealed inside an ancient scroll by three evil Taoist wizards until 2009, when he is freed by the trio wizards to battle evil goblins in the big city.
The trouble is that Jeon Woo Chi is more enthusiastic about sight seeing and womanizing than his appointed assignment.
Jeon Woo Chi : The Taoist Wizard as a drama series is planned for next year release.

source

Actors in their 40's,30's and 20's with highest audience number

Article from http://www.koreahera...=20101008000621


Actors in their 40s draw highest audience
2010-10-08 14:40

The influence of actors varies according to their age. Recent statistics by Korea Film Council proves male actors in their 40s pull the highest audience figures. The experienced actors’ growing charisma and acting skills are just two of the reasons for their boost in popularity. 

Song Kang-ho, 43, attracted the highest average number of viewers for his films. In the younger 20-40 age group, Ha Jung- woo, 32, was recorded as the most popular star. 

Stars in their 40s’ Mighty Power: Song Kang-ho, Sul Kyung- gu and Jung Jae-young 

Since 2005, the most popular films Song Kang-ho appeared as the lead in were “The Host” (2006), ‘”Thirst” (2009) and “Secret Reunion” (2010). In total, Song Kang-ho appeared in a main role in seven movies and attracted 28.8 million viewers. 

Sul Kyung-gu, 42, followed Song Kang-ho for audience figures. He was as a main character in nine movies and attracted 26 million viewers.

Jung Jae-young ranked third for the total number of viewers, following Song Kang-ho and Sul Kyung-gu. 

Since 2005, Hwang Jung-min, 40, played main roles in 10 movies, more films than any other actor.

Stars in their 30s, Ha Jung-woo’s heyday and Won Bin’s sudden rise

Ha Jung-woo has been nominated as the actor who played the most diverse roles in the last five years. “National Team, Take-off” (2009) and “The Chaser” (2008) were his most successful films. From the five movies he was cast in, Ha Jung-woo has had 14.3 million viewers. 

Then there was the best comeback in some time, from Won Bin. After his military service, he came back to the big screen with “Mother” (2009) and this years’ hottest movie “The Man from Nowhere” (2010). After his comeback, Won Bin attracted over 9 million viewers.


From left: Jung jae-young, Kang Dong-won, Won Bin

Stars in their 20s, Kang Dong- won’s rise

Kang Dong-won, 29, has had unmatched numbers of viewers when compared to other actors in their 20s. After 2005, the five films he was cast in the leading role, including the “Voice of a Murderer,” appealed to 15 million viewers. Even film critics commended Kang Dong-won’s work as without fault. The only thing likely to interrupt his success is his need to serve in the military for two years, soon after the up-coming movie premier of “Psychics” (2010).

(Herald Online)

“Psychic” Kang Dong Won & Ko Soo conquer Pusan

Actors Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo, both with movie star good looks and acting ability, have a confrontation in PSYCHIC. The movie is Director Kim Min-seok’s debut work and its refreshingly unusual story of a man with supernatural powers meeting a man who is immune to his powers has attracted a great deal of attention. The launching of the PSYCHIC promotional buses at Pusan has created a buzz at the Pusan International Film Festival.

With the handsome faces of Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo gracing the buses which ply the streets of Pusan where the Pusan International Film Festival was held, these buses grabbed the attention of passers-by and large crowds quickly gathered to catch a glimpse of the PSYCHIC buses. In addition to that, PSYCHIC posters were also distributed over the weekend of 8th – 10th October to massive crowds of people at the film festival.

Participants of the PSYCHIC poster competition had to ensure that 300 posters were distributed daily. Due to congestion, they had to wait hours to obtain information on location of bus stops. For this reason, a twitter account (http://twitter.com/choin2010) had been set up to ensure fast and real-time information could be shared among participants. Some enthusiastic Japanese fans even took taxis to follow the PSYCHIC buses to take photographs. On 16th October, the PSYCHIC buses will be moved to the streets of Seoul . Public buses bearing the face of the two actors which had just emerged as a ‘star’ from the Pusan International Film Festival will undoubtedly create another buzz for PSYCHIC.

The casting of Kang Dong-won (an actor with the perfect mysterious charm) and Ko Soo (with the classic good looks and sincere demeanor) in PSYCHIC has generated a lot of talk from the beginning. Its unique story has made it one of the most anticipated films in 2010. PSYCHIC arrives in theatres on 11 November 2010.

Resized to 92% (was 750 x 329) - Click image to enlarge

Resized to 92% (was 750 x 316) - Click image to enlarge

Resized to 97% (was 709 x 800) - Click image to enlarge

Kang Dong-won says "wants the power to teleport

* Reporter : Lucia Hong
* Editor : Jessica Kim



Actor Ko Soo speaks to reporters during a press conference for film "Haunters" held at a Megabox theater in Dongadaemun of Seoul, South Korea on October 18, 2010. [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Korean actor Gang Dong-won has said that he would want the ability to teleport to outer space although in the past, he wanted to have the power to control people's minds as his character does in his upcoming film "Haunters."

"After playing someone who can control people's minds, I came to realize that it's a power that can make you lonely," the statuesque actor explained of his reason for preferring to teleport.

He was speaking to reporters at the press conference for his new thriller held at a Megabox theater in Seoul today.

"Haunters" is about a powerful being who grows up with his eyes bandaged and is protected by his mother but after breaking away from her, he soon realizes that he is able to control people's mind with his eyes.

He leads an ordinary life until he gets caught using his power to take money from a loan bank by a person named Im Kyu-nam (played by Ko Soo), who is not affected by his power.

Frustrated by this, Gang's character starts to hurt people around Im, for which Im seeks revenge.

The fantasy film is director Kim Min-seok's debut feature -- he has worked and assisted famed director Bong Joon-ho on smash hit "The Host" (2006) and director Kim Jee-woon for "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" (2008).

Gang made his debut in the MBC drama "The Funny Wild Girl" in 2003, and since appeared in various works, most notably in "Romance of their Own," "Duelist," "WOOCHI" and "Secret Reunion."

Ko has appeared in a score of dramas and films since his debut in 1998 such as "Piano," "Will It Snow For Christmas?" and "White Night."

"Haunters" will open in local theaters on November 11.



Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 

Movie “Psychic” Production Presentation

thanks to Petra and Kosoo's Thread 

This is a transcript of the entire PSYCHIC Press Conference on 18 Oct 2010. 

English translation by ELSIE (thx so much ^^)

Kang Dong-won: Ko Soo’s charm lies in his eyes

Movie “Psychic” Production Presentation 

“Psychic” is certainly a wrong title for the movie. A film starring Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo should rightly be called “Super Handsome Men”. Though the title is wrong, the casting however cannot be faulted. If Kang Dong-won is a man who is different from other men because of his special powers, then who else can defy him except for the pure Gyu-nam in the form of Ko Soo? Kang Dong-won, the man who can seriously control the world with his eyes and Ko Soo aka don’t-call-me-Kovid-as-it’s-a-burden, who represents Gyu-nam, together with Director Kim Min-suk, are hosting a production presentation for PSYCHIC on 18 October.

Q: You are very lucky to have cast top stars like Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo in your first feature film. Is there a special reason to work with these two actors?

Director Kim: There’s no particular reason. The fact that these two good actors have chosen PSYCHIC is good in itself. Kang Dong-won really does look like he has special powers and Ko Soo in fact looks like Gyu-nam (laughs).


“We have no choice but to be attractive so as to be different from others” 


Q: You said you have great interest in supernatural powers even before the film was made?

Director Kim: I have been watching many ESP movies and cartoons since childhood. To be different from others, we have to transcend telepathy powers more attractively. These materials have not been handled much in Korean movies. It will be a burden, but I’d like to do it and chase away whatever doubts there are.


Q: If psychic powers do exist, what would you like to do most?

Director Kim: I want to transform into other objects like a spacecraft or a dove (laughs).

KDW: It depends on what type of psychic powers I have. But not becoming an invisible man like what an earlier article had said (laughs). I don’t want to have the powers of Superman. Just the ability to control a person’s mind will do. I should then be able to look for a place in the universe worth flying to and live there (laughs).


KS: Well… If I have psychic powers, I will stop this right now. I haven’t eaten anything yet, so I’d like to have lunch (the audience burst into laughter).

Q: This is a movie with two top actors. Did you have much inspiration while acting with each other?

KDW: Working with Ko Soo Senior for the first time, I find him to be a very passionate young man, always serious and enthusiastic in his work. All that is inspiring to me.

KS: Originally though, I didn’t get a lot of inspiration from his character. Dong-won was really early in a lot things – fashion and other products…


KDW: I always take it one at a time (laughs).

Q: Both of you are handsome, famous actors. What do you think of each other?


KDW: Even if I don’t say it, it is well understood. When I first met Ko Soo, I thought he is really manly, gentleman-like and handsome. Now I know why he’s called Ko-vid. The most attractive part of him? His ears? Jokes aside, it’s his eyes! (laughs).


KS: I receive a lot of questions like this. What do I think of Dong-won? Hmmm… He looks good of course. He is multi-talented and versatile on stage. He exercises well. Though he appears thin, maybe weak, his right biceps are very sexy (laughs). 

“PSYCHIC is a new movie which people can relate to”

Q: Just like the man with the supernatural powers who wants to live a quiet life – how do you two, who are famous actors, live an ordinary life?


KS: When working and not working, I want to be ordinary. While I’m here, I’d like to be ordinary right now (the audience roared with laughter).


KDW: I have never thought of living an ordinary life. Since I like my job, I will have to subject myself to all that (laughs).


Q: The two of you seem to be having fun shooting with a new director.


Director Kim: Yes, every shot was fun actually. The most memorable was the first day of shooting. I was late for one and a half hours as I had overslept. Even the elderly had arrived at the subway and were at a loss. When I arrived on the set, I shouted “Sorry!” and started filming (laughs).


KDW: That was really funny. He is an unusual director as expected. We were waiting. Even though that was the first day of filming, we were like: please come late. We were enjoying it of course. In the absence of the director, we were turning the camera here and there to take in the scene (laughs).


KS: I remember all the scenes and all the situations. It was a young set and we were all of about the same age. Each shot was fun.

Q: We heard that Kang Dong-won had declined going to the army?

KS: I believe that is not so. Dong-won already seems to understand that. My advice to him is that drinking a delicious glass of rice wine before he goes to the army will be good (laughs).

Q: In other words, the audience who come to see PSYCHIC in November will be your last (before military service)?

KDW: PSYCHIC combines thriller-like elements of two top movies and the fresh materials of a new film. It is a movie which people can relate to and it is friendly as well. It is a movie which should be seen in that perspective.

KS: Those who were here early and had gone to the video arcade should come see the movie and those who were there too (audience laughs). It will be more interesting to see the movie and think about why Gyu-nam does not succumb to supernatural powers of the psychic. Thank you for coming soon!


---- end of translation -----

Kang Dong Won chosen no.1 ideal man among female stars...

aa

Do not judge the film by the handsome faces of Kang Dong Won and Ko Soo

 source

English translation by Elsie
thx to KS's Thread

Review of PSYCHIC:
Do not judge the film by the handsome faces of Kang Dong Won and Ko Soo

The meeting between handsome leading actor Kang Dong Won and good looking actor Ko Soo (also known as Ko-vid) in PSYCHIC has been hot topic.


If you think the two actors are chosen merely for visual effects, then you have made a mistake. I was focusing on the acting abilities of the two actors rather than their handsome faces when I watched the movie. They are excellent. Moreover, it is not possible to take one's eyes off the screen, even momentarily. As this film is a low budget movie, it is different from a foreign sci-fi film. One could feel the tension in a static scene which is not unlike a thriller. Though it was a bit draggy towards the end, but the excellent performance of the two lead actors as diametrically opposed characters and the comic acting of the foreign actors made up for it.


There’s one thing I’d like to say. Go to the restroom before you go see the movie. This is because you will not understand the ending of the confrontation between Kang Dong Won and Ko Soo if you were to take your eyes off the screen, even for a moment.


The final reversal and the excellent acting abilities of the 2 handsome actors will astonish audiences.

--- end of translation ---

Kang Dong Won wins best actor award “All because of the director and Song Kang Ho”

 2010.11.09
Seoul, Korea – Actor Kang Dong Won wins a Best Actor award.

On the 8th, Kang Dong Won was awarded the Best Actor prize for his role in Blood Brothers at the 30th Yeong Pyeong Awards Ceremony held at the Seoul Central Press Center.

Portraying Nampa agent Song Ji Won in Blood Brothers, Kang Dong Won starred opposite Song Kang Ho, and received the support and praise of the 5.4 million people who went to watch the movie in theaters.

On this day, Kang Dong Won remarked “Thank you for this huge award”, adding “this was the hardest role to play, personally”. He also said “I would like to think that this is all because of the director and Song Kang Ho”.

Also on this day, the best new actress award went to Lee Min Jung of White Night, and the best new actor award went to Song Sae Byuk from Bang Ja Story.

By Lee Seo Eun (idsoft3@reviewstar.net)

Source: ReviewStar (Original article in Korean)
Photo from ReviewStar DB
Translated by Timothy Nam / Korea.com

[PREVIEW] Film “Haunters"

Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye
Editor : Jessica Kim


A scene from film "The Haunters" [Zip Cinema]

Film “Haunters” gets down to business right away. The story does not bother with details like how its nameless, supernatural character (Gang Dong-won) came to possess its power nor does it reveal the limitations or weaknesses his power has. The viewers are just as lost as main hero Kyu-nam who confronts him and tries to work his way to finding the truth behind this mysterious character. In the movie, supernatural power is no longer a mere prop used to highlight superheroes or create a spectacular scene. The true main character of the story is the supernatural power itself.

Although it was his power to control people with his eyes that left the mystery character a “monster” in the first place, it is also the only thing he can depend on. It was this power that helped him survive living with a father that threatened him and a mother who tried to eliminate his power. And the power also allowed him to fight Kyu-nam who is much superior to him in terms of physical strength. Kyu-nam’s life which was pretty ordinary as well until the point all turns upside down due to his supernatural power. Had it not been for the encounter with the mystery guy, he would have just lived peacefully as one of the workers at pawnshop “Utopia.” And the supernatural power that shook up everything of the two men will also leave its impact on the audience who watch the film.


Scenes from film "The Haunters" [Zip Cinema]

The chemistry between the two young actors Gang and Ko alone is enough to make this film meaningful -- the unfamiliar, explosive moments created by these actors we thought we had become used to, is enough to enthrall viewers. Ko takes what he is good at, what is expected of him and perfects it in a style that is completely different. Kyu-nam’s optimism despite having no will and no future would not have turned out to be portrayed in a positive light had it not been for the aura Ko holds as both as an actor and as a human being. In contrast, Gang created an image we’ve never seen before nor expected to see. Who would have imagined becoming petrified by the handsome Gang or actually feel afraid of him as if having seen a snake? Gang’s looks that features heavenly body proportions and his handsome face actually succeeded in displaying not beauty but how twisted his character is on the inside, proving his versatility.

Various points in the film prove how the actors, crew and director Kim Min-suk said they thoroughly enjoyed making the film. Director Kim’s passion, so great that he put his might into making the movie about supernatural powers which had enamored him since his childhood, adds life to the movie. One can almost feel the joy the director himself feels from the music that enhances the comic book-like atmosphere and when the supernatural powers flare up between the two guys. So although at moments, the director fails to control the tempo of the story or makes switches which do not work with the overall flow, there is no reason not to welcome the emergence of a new director who pursues beyond the customary good versus evil plot and dried up old humor. The film opens in theaters on November 10.

Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye seven@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

The movie “A Psychic” has the highest booking rate in 2010!

10 November 2010.

source

According to online statistics, the newly released movie “A Psychic” starring Korea’s top actors, Gang Dong-won and Go Su had the highest booking rate (75.37%) and was ranked number 1 in Korea’s box office.

“A Psychic” is an action movie which discusses the endless battle between a mysterious man with supernatural powers, ( Gang Dong-won) and the only man who is immune to the powers (Go Su). The main attraction of the movie are the two charismatic actors, Gang Dong-won and Go Su, who attracted thousands of young fans to gather just to meet their idols at movie premiere.


source